To that big medical headline about something that's on millions of dinner tables right now. That salt shaker. A new study linking 1 in 10 deaths in this country to excessive salt. So, how much is too much, as american families sit down to dinner tonight? We wanted the bottom line, so, let's bring in abc's chief medical every tort dr. Richard besser. Something you said to me really struck men. Not so much the salt shaker but what we worldered when we're out at the restaurant. Reporter: That's right. Americans eat out five times per week and restaurants are incredibly good at hiding salt. Take a look at this. This is the lasagna at the olive garden. Almost two days worth of salt in it. This is the riblets from applebee's. Almost four days worth of salt. Before you go out to the chains, check their menu online and look for the low sodium options. Really about portions and what you order when you are out to eat. How much salt are we really eating? Reporter: This is the amount of salt that's recommended for an american to have in an entire year. Let me show you what the average american does take in. More than twice the amount of what's recommended. Extremely dangerous. And options that work just as well? Reporter: Instead of reaching for the salt shaker, try a little lemon juice, pepper, herbs, that will give you the flavor without the salt. Easier said than done for people that love their salt. But this is eye-opening, this study, rich. Thank you.

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